FEELING THE PINCH OF SANCTIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20284, 6 December 1935, Page 11

FEELING THE PINCH OF SANCTIONS

ITALY’S BAN ON REPORTS ANGLO-FRENCH PLANS FOR SETTLEMENT SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyright (Received December 5, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, December 4. A decree suspends indefinitely the publication of the Treasury and the Bank of Italy returns, and statements relating to the public debt. No New Year Greetings It is announced that the customary New Year receptions of the diplomatic corps and notables by the King and Queen of Italy will not be held. Royal Offers of Gold The Queen of Italy sent a letter to Signor Mussolini offering the King’s rings and her wedding rings “to the glory of my beloved country. My ring is my dearest possession, because it recalls the day I had the great fortune to become an Italian.” It is expected that their Majesties’ and thousands of other rings will be placed in a sj’mbolical pile at the foot of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier before being melted. SEEKING WAY TO PEACE FRENCH HINT TO SIGNOR MUSSOLINI United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 5, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, December 5. It is stated, in an usualljr wellinformed quarter, that M. Laval handed to Signor Cerutti, suggestions' to Signor Mussolini as an outline of what England and France consider a possible basis of settlement. It is emphasised that they were not definite proposals to be refused or accepted. II Duce’s Obstinacy The Paris correspondent of “The News Chronicle” states that Signor Mussolini has refused to table his own terms to M. Laval. WARSHIPS ON THE MOVE FRENCH VESSELS CRUISE IN CORSICAN WATERS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 5, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 5. It is learned from Nice that two French cruisers and three destroyers will cruise from Toulon on Sunday in Corsican waters. Greek Vessel Fired On A message from Athens reports that an Italian destroyer patrolling in the neighbourhood of Leros, for an unknown reason, fired on a Greek fishing boat. Two were killed an cl fourteen wounded. OUTLINE OF TERMS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 5, 11,25 p.m.) PARIS, December 5. The Anglo-French suggestions for a peace settlement are reported to include the following:— (1) Abyssinia to be granted the Port of Assab with a strip of territory, through which a railway could be built, uniting Addis Ababa and Assab; (2) Abyssinia should cede to Italy part (some reports say the whole) of Ogaden Province, also part of Tigre and Harar Provinces, but leaving the Holy City of Aksum, Adowa and perhaps Makaie in Abyssinian territory; (3) The agreement to take the form of a bi-lateral Italo-Abyssinian treaty. The rest of Abyssinia, it is stated, would remain entirely independent, but it would be open for the Emperor to conclude a “treaty of assistance” with the League of Nations. Difficulties in the Way. The diplomatic correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph” says: “Even if Signor Mussolini consents to negotiate, there remains the difficulty of deciding in what circumstances the conversations should be conducted. The League of Nations will doubtless insist on an armistice with Abyssinia, while Signor Mussolini will certainly demand an armistice in the operation of sanctions. If the peace talks failed hostilities might be resumed, but could sanctions then be applied afresh or extended?” The London newspapers mention the possibility of Sir Samuel Hoare and Signor Mussolini meeting. BATTLE FOR OIL ITALIAN SUPPLIES FROM ALBANIA United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ROME, December 4. Italian oil experts are confident that they will be able to obtain 300,000 tons of crude oil from the Albanian

wells before the end of the year. An 8-inch pipe line has been completed to Valona, where huge reservoirs are being constructed, enabling of the shipment at Bari, where the Government proposes to build a hydrogenation plant on German lines, enabling of the distillation of 80 per cent of petrol from crude oil.